Free Smitten by Lacey Weatherford Page A

items in the aisle before selecting one. I followed him to the register where he paid for it, and then we went back outside to the car.
    Removing the item from the package, he revealed a round, steel brush of sorts. He proceeded to clean the jumper cables, which didn't appear to be dirty at all, in my opinion.
    “ What are you doing?” I asked.
    “ Keeping up appearances while we talk.” He continued on with his task.
    “ Isn't there somewhere we can go to be alone together—away from prying eyes that might be watching?”
    “ As much as I would love that, I don't think it's safe. I’d be too tempted to spend all evening with you, and it would raise questions to my whereabouts.” He glanced around. “This location is too far away now as it is, but I didn’t want you anywhere close to these guys.”
    “Where do they think you are?”
    “I'm supposed to be meeting my girlfriend at a club across town right now.” He studied me, clearly waiting for my reaction.
    I couldn’t help my sly smile. “Well, you are meeting your girlfriend.”
    He chuckled. “You know what I mean, Cami. My other girlfriend.”
    “ I'm not sure how I feel about you having another girlfriend,” I teased. “I'm not really big on two timing.”
    “ Trust me, there is no actual two timing going on.”
    “ So, you're saying you got stuck with an ugly girl?” I couldn't help letting a small giggle escape.
    He gave a noncommittal grunt. “Hardly.”
    His reply caught me off guard, and I opened my mouth to question him some more, but a car playing very loud music pulled next to us.
    “ Damn,” Hunter said, as he glanced at it. “Whatever you do, follow my lead. He’s probably been watching us this whole time.”
    I knew we were in serious trouble by the way he was acting. This was obviously one of the people he was worried about. A tall Latino guy—near Hunter's height, maybe a couple inches shorter—climbed out of the fancy sports car.
    “ Hey there, my man,” he called out in a friendly enough tone, but I noticed he narrowed his eyes, his dark gaze scrutinizing both of us. “What’re you doing way out here?” He walked up beside Hunter and clapped him on the back, squeezing his shoulder. “And who is this sexy little number you have with ya? You know my sister is the jealous type, right? You aren’t cheating on her already, I hope.” He laughed, revealing a set of perfect white teeth that lit up his face, but there was still a rough edge to his demeanor. He pounded Hunter against the back again. “If you are, I may have to break your legs.”
    Hunter laughed too and shook his head, but I certainly didn't see what the joke was. If this guy was serious, then he was a freak.
    “Dude, you know I’d never cheat on Roberta. That girl is a hot mess, and I can't get my fill of her.”
    Hunter didn't look at me at all, and I tried not to feel hurt by his remarks. I knew he was playing a role, but it was still hard to hear him talk about someone else like that. The new arrival checked me out as he sauntered over to my side, and it didn’t escape my notice that Hunter hadn’t made any effort to introduce us. It was obvious he didn’t want this guy anywhere around me.
    I took in his appearance as well, albeit it was more discreet than how he was observing me. He was good looking and he knew it, short black hair cropped close to his head, dark eyes, perfect skin, and sporting casual, but nice clothing. There was something about him, though, that felt off to me—like he was putting on a show. He lifted his hand and twirled a bit of my hair around one of his fingers. I saw Hunter’s knuckles turn white beside me as he continued to grip the edge of the car.
    “”What are you doing here?” Hunter asked casually. “I thought you were meeting Seth and Nick.”
     
    “ Just out for a drive,” the newcomer replied noncommittally. “What's your name, sugar?” he asked with a wink and a grin.
    “ I'm Cami.” I didn't know what